It's safe to assume the New York Jets are not satisfied with their kicking situation heading into Week 1.
After cycling through a half-dozen placekickers this offseason, the Jets are officially slated to head into the opener with recent waiver-claim Blake Grupe as their kicker. Still willing to turn over every stone, they hosted a group of kickers for a workout, including Josh Karty.
Initially lost in the Karty update was that veteran kicker Justin Tucker was part of the group that worked out for the Jets. Tucker, a five-time First-Team All-Pro, did not play in the league last season, serving a 2025 suspension for sexual misconduct allegations. The Jets' decision to host Tucker for a tryout will certainly be seen as controversial.
No legal action
was ever taken against Tucker, but the NFL did suspend him for 10 games. Michael Badgley was the third kicker who joined Tucker and Karty at the Jets' mass kicker workout. None of these names have the pedigree, or draw the attention, that Tucker will.
Jets bring Justin Tucker in for tryout after 2025 suspension for sexual misconduct allegations https://t.co/1G8hVzIAUC pic.twitter.com/Otd2mrAxEK
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) September 2, 2026
It's worth noting the Indianapolis Colts worked out Tucker along with new Jets kicker Groupe earlier this offseason. They decided to sign Groupe, who has now landed with the Jets. It's unclear why the Colts didn't sign Tucker at that time.
It's worth noting Tucker's performance tailed off before the allegations and his eventual release from the Ravens. In 2024, he posted a career-worse 73.3% kicking percentage, going just 22-of-30. We'll continue monitoring the Jets' ongoing kicking situation.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets make controversial decision to host K Justin Tucker for a workout
